electronic point of sales vending control apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales (EPOS) systems with different types of vending machines is disclosed. The apparatus provides means for ensuring that the signals carrying control instructions for each EPOS system and vending machine connected to the control apparatus are in an appropriate format. The invention also ensures that one person is fully accountable for all vends originating from a particular EPOS system to provide one point of access and includes a verifiable audit trail. Each vend operation is recorded against a single authenticated operator.

The present invention relates to an electronic point of sales (EPOS)vending control apparatus for connecting different types of EPOS systemswith different types of vending machines, each type of EPOS system andvending machine having characteristic control inputs.

Electronic point of sales (EPOS) systems are terminals used in place ofconventional cash registers to facilitate both cash and cardtransactions, as well as to fulfill stock control and orderingrequirements for retail outlets. The ability for EPOS systems to benetworked to a centralised computer system also means that salesinformation for products and services sold by an outlet can be processedalmost immediately.

The functionality of EPOS systems has also been extended to the controlof vending machines. In this way products, such as cigarettes, stored ina vending machine coupled with the EPOS system can be dispensed byappropriate interaction of human operators with input means associatedwith the EPOS system during a transaction. Whereas previously, operatorsneeded to interact with multiple devices to complete a transactioninvolving both vended products and other products, such functionalityenables a transaction to be completed using a single EPOS system.

However, although such advances in EPOS technology are clearlyadvantageous, significant problems arise. One notable problem followsfrom the inability for these systems integrate the functionality ofdifferent types of EPOS systems. EPOS systems and vending machines eachprocess quite different inputs and as a result the protocols andcommunication systems normally associated with them are very different.For example, EPOS systems will effectively control a vending machinethrough signals transmitted via its associated communications ports(such as RS232 or LAN). By comparison, internal control systems forvending machines use EPROM and firmware. Moreover, there are numerousbrands, makes and models of EPOS systems available on the market, eachhaving their own respective processing systems and each requiringspecific control inputs. Furthermore, different types of EPOS systemswill also generate different output signal which are characteristic ofthe system type. Similar problems also follow for different types ofvending machines which will require characteristic control inputs fortheir control and will produce outputs which are characteristic of thevending machine type. A technical problem thus exists in that it is notpossible to integrate the functionality of different types of EPOSsystems with different types of vending machines.

Further problems in present EPOS systems follow from the inability forsuch systems to provide full accountability for each product dispensedfrom a vending machine under the control of a particular EPOS system. Itwill be appreciated that such a lack in traceability of vended productswill give rise to significant instances of fraud within outlets, itbeing widely known that fraud has been a long term problem for retailerswho sell small expensive low margin packed products, such as cigarettes,confectionary and razor blades.

Historically, vending initially involved the use stand alone un-mannedmachines selling small packed products such as confectionary, tobaccoproducts and razor blades. In use, a customer would insert the indicatedpayment and select the desired product. Although this method of sellingprovided a relatively secure and safe method for vending, as the vendingmachine is typically robust and the payment is received before theproduct was vended, there were no controls on who may obtain productsfrom the vended machine. Accordingly, these systems were accessible byunderage persons who are not legally entitled to purchase certainproducts, notably, tobacco products. These machines also fail to providefull accountability for dispensed products.

In other vending machines, the product is vended before payment is made.In such machines there is significant scope for fraud by customers andby operators. Compounding the problem is the fact that numerous peoplecan be involved in a single transaction and this makes it more difficultfor offending persons to be detected. Moreover, such systems do not inany way contribute to preventing the fraud from occurring in the firstplace. A significant issue arises as operators, although having controlof vending machines, do so without any accountability as to productsthat have been vended. For example, an operator can perform a vendwithout registering the sale, or can perform multiple vends and onlycharge for some of them. Another opportunity for fraud arises where anoperator may vend a product without paying. Additionally, customers maymake erroneous vends and there is no accountability for the vendedproduct. Moreover, erroneously vended products may be stolen by thecustomer, cashier or any other opportunist who may discover them.

Accordingly, there are numerous occasions which may result in a fraudbeing committed in such arrangements for vending machines.

Associated with other forms of vending machines are secondary keyboards.These allow the operator to perform the required actions to vend thedesired product. In some embodiments the keyboard is connected to anEPOS system. However, these arrangements are also prone to fraud as theEPOS system may be deactivated by operators and this will result in thetransaction not being recorded.

It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide an EPOSvending control apparatus for connecting at least one EPOS system withat least one vending machine which overcomes the above problems and/orwhich will provide the public and/or industry with a useful alternative.

It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varyingjurisdictions be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning.For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise notedexplicitly, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. thatit may be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed componentsit directly references, but also other non-specified components.Accordingly, the term ‘comprise’ is to be attributed with as broaderinterpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and thisrationale should also be used when the terms ‘comprised’ and‘comprising’ are used.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent form theensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Accordingly, there is provided an electronic point of sales (EPOS)vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronicpoint of sales (EPOS) systems with different types of vending machines,each type of EPOS system and vending machine having characteristiccontrol inputs,

characterised in that the control apparatus comprises a main vendingcontrol unit connected to at least one vending machine and at least oneEPOS system by a communications link for the transmission ofcharacteristic EPOS control input signals for controlling the EPOSsystem and characteristic vending machine control input signals forcontrolling the vending machine from the EPOS system,

the control apparatus operating an adaptive EPOS communicationsinterface for translating standardised EPOS control input signalstransmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic EPOScontrol input signals for transmission to the EPOS system, and anadaptive vending machine communications interface for convertingstandardised vending machine control inputs signals transmitted from themain vending control unit into characteristic vending machine controlinput signals for transmission to the vending machine.

The present invention provides an arrangement in which standardisedcontrol input signals transmitted from the main vending control unit areable to be translated into characteristic signals suitable for supply ascontrol inputs to each type of EPOS system and vending machine connectedto the control apparatus. This will enable different types of EPOSsystem's and vending machines to be integrated for use together. TheEPOS vending control apparatus may be configured as a computing serverwhich is locatable either locally within an outlet or remotely, forexample at a head office location.

Specifically, the provision of an adaptive EPOS communications interfacewhich translates standardised EPOS control input signals transmittedfrom the main vending control unit into characteristic EPOS controlinput signals for transmission to the EPOS system will ensure that thesignals carrying control instructions for an EPOS system are in thecorrect format suited to the particular EPOS system concerned. This willenable the retrofitting of new types of EPOS systems into a retailoutlet without having to remove older version EPOS systems.

Similar advantages follow from the provision of the adaptive vendingmachine communications interface. In particular, translating vendingmachine control input signals transmitted from the main vending controlunit into characteristic vending machine control input signals for thedesired vending machine will facilitate dispensing of products from aparticular vending machine coupled to the EPOS system via the controlapparatus. The adaptive vending machine communications interface willthus facilitate the ability for vending machines of different types tobe controlled by an EPOS system coupled to the control apparatus.Furthermore, a vended product can be, and quite often is, part of abasket of various non-vended products in one sale. A vend can thus bemade at any stage of the overall transaction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the adaptive EPOS communicationsinterface is further configured to translate characteristic EPOS controloutput signals transmitted from the EPOS system into standardised EPOScontrol output signals for processing by the main vending control unit.

Such a provision will enable control output signals received from theEPOS system to be processed by the main vending control unit. In thisway, instructions to vend a product from a specific vending machine canbe encoded by vending software applications executing on the EPOS systeminto a characteristic EPOS control output signals for transmissioninitially to the adaptive EPOS communications interface. At the adaptiveEPOS communications interface these characteristic EPOS output signalscan be translated into standardised EPOS control output signals forprocessing by the main vending control unit.

Preferably, the adaptive vending machine communications interface isfurther configured to translate characteristic vending machine controloutput signals transmitted from the vending machine into standardisedvending machine control output signals for processing by the mainvending control unit.

Such a provision will enable control output signals received from thevending machine to also be processed by the main vending control unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the main vending control unit isconnected to a database of interface control programs.

In such an embodiment, an interface control program, when executed onthe EPOS communications interface, provides functionality required togenerate characteristic EPOS control input signals and to processcharacteristic EPOS control output signals for an EPOS system.

In a further an embodiment, another of said interface control programs,when executed on the vending machine communications interface, providesfunctionality required to generate characteristic vending machinecontrol input signals and to process characteristic vending machinecontrol output signals for a vending machine.

Preferably, associated with the database of interface control programsis an EPOS configuration file which stores configuration parameterswhich are provided as input to the interface control programs.

Preferably, the interface control programs are arranged in the databasein a dynamic linked library structure.

Such a structure will ensure that all of the EPOS systems and vendingmachines that are integrated with the EPOS vending control apparatus canshare the code associated with each control program and anyconfiguration parameters.

In another embodiment of the invention, the EPOS vending controlapparatus further comprises means for sampling characteristic EPOScontrol output signals for an EPOS system on connection to the EPOSvending control apparatus, and means for extracting EPOS systemidentification parameters from the sampled EPOS signals.

Preferably, the EPOS vending control apparatus uses the EPOS systemidentification parameters to select and write an interface controlprogram to the adaptive EPOS communications interface to facilitateprocessing of characteristic EPOS control output signals received fromthe EPOS system and generating characteristic EPOS control input signalsfor the EPOS system.

In another embodiment of the invention, the EPOS vending controlapparatus further comprises means for sampling characteristic vendingmachine control output signals for a vending machine on connection tothe EPOS vending control apparatus, and means for extracting vendingmachine identification parameters from the sampled vending machinesignals.

Preferably, the EPOS vending control apparatus uses the vending machineidentification parameters to select and write an interface controlprogram to the adaptive vending machine communications interface tofacilitate processing of characteristic vending machine control outputsignals received from the vending machine and generating characteristicvending machine control input signals for processing by the vendingmachine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the adaptive EPOS communicationsinterface and the adaptive vending machine communications interface arestored on the control apparatus.

Preferably, the adaptive communications interfaces each comprise meansfor extracting point of sales terminal data and/or vending machine datafrom the characteristic EPOS control output signals received from theEPOS systems and/or the characteristic vending machine control outputsignals received from vending machines coupled to the control apparatus.

Preferably, the extracted point of sales device data and/or vendingmachine data is transmitted to the main vending control unit.

In another embodiment of the invention, the main vending control unit isconnected to at least one hub computer via a further communications linkfor the transmission of the point of sales data and vending machinedata.

Preferably, the point of sales data and vending machine data includesdata relating to transactions including both products vended from avending machine and other non-vended products in a transaction.

In another embodiment of the invention, the point of sales data andvending machine data transmitted from the main vending control unit istime and/or date stamped according to the time and date of thetransaction.

Preferably, the hub computer is able to process the point of sales dataand vending machine data into reports detailing sales activity and/orthe dispensing activity of one or more vending machines.

Such reports may be related to failed vend requests and will enableoperators as well as head office personnel to react quickly to hardwareproblems with vending machines. The reports will highlight problems withvending machines where particular columns or slots give vend failuresand they will also highlight problems with vending machines that fail tovend any product.

In another embodiment of the invention, an operator must inputauthentication information to an EPOS system in order to operate andgain access to the functionality of the EPOS system.

By requiring an operator to input authentication information theapparatus ensures that one person is fully accountable for all vendsoriginating from a particular EPOS system. Such a provision ensures thatthere is one point of access and includes a verifiable audit trail.

Preferably, authentication of an operator involves the operatorinputting a password into a login or verification routine running on anEPOS system. Alternatively, authentication of an operator involves theoperator passing a swipe card through a reader associated with the EPOSsystem, whereby the required verification information is obtainable fromthe swipe card by the reader and then transmitted to the EPOS system.Authentication may also include biometric methods, such as finger printreaders or iris scanning technologies.

In another embodiment of the invention, instructions for the vendingmachine to dispense a product for a transaction are initially encoded ina characteristic EPOS control output signal transmitted from an EPOSsystem connected to the control apparatus.

Preferably, each EPOS system operates a vending machine controlapplication which provides an interactive interface on the EPOS systemfrom which operators can select a product to be dispensed from a vendingmachine.

Preferably, the EPOS system comprises a touch screen and the interactiveinterface is icon based, each product able to be dispensed from thevending machine being represented as an icon on the touch screen.

Use of a touch screen will also enable management to configure the touchpanels on the EPOS system with all information corresponding to thelayout of the columns and/or slots in a vending machine.

In this way the EPOS system that has complete control of the vendprocess.

Alternatively, an EPOS system comprises a keyboard and each product isable to be dispensed from the vending machine by pressing a predefinedkey on the keyboard.

Preferably, in the event that a specific vending machine is unable tovend a requested product the vend request is directed to an alternativevending machine to dispense the requested product. Thus, if a vendingmachine is faulty or out of stock the initial vend request can bedirected to another vending machine connected to the EPOS vendingcontrol apparatus which is capable of fulfilling the vend request.

Preferably, before the costs for the dispensed product are added to acustomer invoice the EPOS system must receive a characteristic EPOScontrol input signal encoding a confirmation that the vending machinehas dispensed the product.

Preferably, when such a confirmation is received it is rendered ondisplay means associated with the EPOS system.

The EPOS system thus not only issues signals to the vending machine tovend a particular product when instructed to do so by the operator, butalso waits for confirmation of a successful vend before it adds the costof the product to the customers transaction invoice. Each vend operationis therefore recorded, but more significantly is recorded against asingle authenticated operator.

Preferably, each vend from a vending machine is recorded against theoperator issuing the vend instruction from the EPOS system.

In another embodiment of the invention, the EPOS system comprisescustomer age verification functionality.

The provision of age verification functionality on the EPOS system willprompt the operator to get the customer to verify their age beforeallowing a transaction to proceed. When an operator requests that thevending machine vend a product, the EPOS system will prompt the operatorto confirm and then record the confirmation that the customer is oldenough to purchase the desired goods.

Preferably, the customer age verification functionality involves eachEPOS system issuing a visual prompt on the display means instructing theoperator to request a customer to produce age verification. Such ageverification may be provided as an identity card.

Alternatively, the customer age verification functionality involvesscanning a card encoding the age of the customer. Preferably, the EPOSsystem is adapted to store details relating to age verification of acustomer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the EPOS system maintains apersonal details database comprising personal details of each operator.Preferably, access to functionality on each EPOS system needed to vendspecific products from a vending machine is controllable according topersonal details of the operator in the database.

Preferably, the main control unit receives data relating to all vendedproducts once they have been dispensed from the vending machine.

In another embodiment of the invention, the main vending control unitcomprises means to monitor the quantity of each product in a vendingmachine.

Preferably, the main vending control unit comprises means to transmitalerts in response to signals received from the vending machineindicating that levels of product remaining in the vending machine arebelow a minimum specified level.

Preferably, such alerts are in the form of a prompt on an EPOS system, asimple messaging service (SMS) text message and/or an e-mail message.

In another embodiment of the invention, the main vending control unit isadapted to transmit status information to a web-server to facilitateonline remote monitoring of vending machines in a single or multiplelocations.

In another embodiment of the invention, touch panels associated with anEPOS system are configurable to present a graphical representationscorresponding to the physical layout of products in the vending machine.

Preferably, an EPOS operator will be able to select a product to bevended by touching a graphical representation on the touch screencorresponding to the product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an EPOS vending control apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic views of an alternative configuration of EPOSsystems and vending machines for use according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further alternative configuration ofEPOS systems and vending machines for use according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a still further alternative configurationof EPOS systems and vending machines for use according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a number of EPOS systems connected to ahub computer via the EPOS vending control apparatus configured accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the connectivity of a number ofoutlets to the hub computer via a network,

FIG. 7 is the first part of a flow diagram showing the steps in aprocess for vending a product according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is the second part of the flow diagram shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a further flow diagram showing the steps in a process forvending a product according to the invention;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show optional drop down menu functionality of an EPOSsystem connected the EPOS vending control apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and

FIGS. 12 to 15 show sample reports which are able to be generated by thehub computer from point of sales and vending machine data according tothe present invention.

For the purposes of the foregoing description, the term “operator”should be understood to mean a person in an outlet who interacts with anEPOS system in order to initiate vends from vending machines, total theamount due for the purchase of products and/or services from the outlet,charges the customer for the amount and processes a card or cashtransaction by way of payment for the purchase.

The term “characteristic” in the context of input and output signalsshould be understood to mean signals which are capable of beingprocessed or generated by a specific EPOS system or vending machine. Forexample, a characteristic vending machine control input signal will beunderstood as being an input signal which is able to be supplied asinput to a specific vending machine in the EPOS network so as to directand control specific functionality at that vending machine. Acharacteristic vending machine control input signal capable of beingsupplied as input to one type of vending machine will not be suitablefor supply as input to another type of vending machine. Similarly, acharacteristic EPOS control output signal will be understood as being anoutput signal transmitted from a specific EPOS system. Different EPOSsystem will thus produce different characteristic EPOS control outputsignals

The term “standardised” in the context of input and output signalsshould be understood to mean generic signals which are in a formatcapable of being processed or generated by the main vending control unitof the present invention. Specifically, the characteristic signalsoutput by the various types of EPOS systems and vending machinesconnected to the control apparatus must first be translated into astandardised format able to be interpreted by the control apparatus

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown anEPOS vending control apparatus, indicated generally by the referencenumeral 20, for connecting different types of electronic point of sales(EPOS) systems 22 with different types of vending machines 24. Thecontrol apparatus 20 comprises a main vending control unit 26 which isconnected to at least one vending machine 24, and at least one EPOSsystem 22, by a communications link 28 for the transmission ofcharacteristic EPOS control input signals for controlling the EPOSsystem 22 and a communications link 30 for transmitting characteristicvending machine control input signals for controlling the vendingmachine 24 from the EPOS system 22.

Although FIG. 1 shows a single EPOS system 22 being connected via themain vending control unit 26 to the vending machine 24, it will beappreciated that the present invention is configurable to integrate thefunctionality of any number of EPOS systems 22 with any number ofvending machines 24. For example, and referring briefly to FIG. 2, shownis an arrangement in which multiple EPOS systems 22 are connected to asingle vending machine 24 via the control apparatus 20. FIG. 3 shows theconfiguration of FIG. 2 in which multiple vending machines 24 arecoupled to the control apparatus 20. FIG. 4 shows another possiblearrangement in which the control apparatus 20 is integrated with an EPOSsystem 22 into a single machine and connected to a vending machine 24.Although not shown, further configurations may include a single mainvending control unit integrated onto a single EPOS system and beinginterfaced to multiple vending machines. Another configuration may alsoinclude multiple vending control units for redundancy. It will thereforebe understood that numerous configurations for EPOS systems and vendingmachines are contemplated by the present invention and are not limitedto that shown in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the control apparatus 20 operates an adaptiveEPOS communications interface 32 for translating standardised EPOScontrol input signals transmitted from the main vending control unit 26via communication link 34 into characteristic EPOS control input signalsfor transmission to the EPOS system 22 via communications link 28. Alsoshown is an adaptive vending machine communications interface 36 forconverting standardised vending machine control input signalstransmitted from the main vending control unit 26 via communicationslink 38 into characteristic vending machine control input signals fortransmission to the vending machine 24 via communications link 30.

The EPOS system 22 comprises processing means 40 and the vending machine24 comprises processing means 42. Executing on the main vending controlunit 26 is vending control server software which can be deployed withconnectivity to both the EPOS system 22 and the vending machine 24 viathe communications interfaces 32, 36. Various software based librarymodules are able to be deployed at the main vending control unit 26. Thevending control server software may be deployed on a LAN or via a TCP/IPconnection or directly on the main vending control unit 4.

Associated with the EPOS system 22 is an application programminginterface 46 (API) which not only facilitates communications between theEPOS vending control apparatus 20 and the EPOS system 22, but alsoenables a developer to add vending processing functionality to the EPOSsystem 22. This functionality is aided by number of software modulesassociated with the application programming interface 46 which areorganised in a dynamic linked library structure. Such a dynamic linkedlibrary encapsulates the signal construction and deconstructionprocesses at the EPOS system 22, and also a configuration file whichholds such details as the modes of communication available to the EPOSsystem 22, such as whether the communication should be file based (FTP),TCP/IP or by wireless communications.

The adaptive EPOS communications interface 32 is further configured totranslate characteristic EPOS control output signals transmitted fromthe EPOS device via communications link 48 into standardised EPOScontrol output signals which are transmitted via communications link 50for processing by the main vending control unit 26. Similarly, theadaptive vending machine communications interface 36 is furtherconfigured to translate characteristic vending machine control outputsignals transmitted from the vending machine via communications link 52into standardised vending machine control output signals, which aretransmittable via communications link 54 for processing by the mainvending control unit 26. The adaptive EPOS communications interface 28and the adaptive vending machine communications interface 36 are storedon the control apparatus 20, although it will be appreciated that otherconfigurations are also possible.

An operator (not shown) must initially input authentication informationto an EPOS system 22 in order to operate and gain access to itsfunctionality. Such authentication may involve the operator inputting apassword into a login or verification routine running on EPOS system 22.Alternatively, authentication of an operator may involve the operatorpassing a swipe card through a reader associated with the EPOS system22, whereby the required verification information is obtainable from theswipe card and then transmitted to the EPOS system 22. It will beunderstood that each vend from a vending machine 24 is recorded againstthe operator issuing a vend instruction from a specific EPOS system 22.

Each EPOS system 22 comprises customer age verification functionalityand such functionality may involve each EPOS system 22 generating avisual prompt on the display means instructing the operator to request acustomer to produce age verification. Such age verification may be anidentity card. The customer age verification functionality may alsoinvolve scanning a card associated with the customer encoding the age ofthe customer. The EPOS system 22 may also be adapted to store detailsrelating to age verification of a customer, and may also maintain apersonal details database comprising personal details of each operator.Additionally, access to functionality on each EPOS system 22 needed tovend specific products from a vending machine 24 is controllableaccording to personal details of the operator in the database.

A vending machine control application operating on each EPOS system 22is configured to generate an interactive interface on the EPOS system 22from which operators can select a product to be dispensed from a vendingmachine 24. Each EPOS system 22 may also comprise a touch screen and theinteractive interface is icon based so that each product able to bedispensed from the vending machine 24 is represented as an icon on thetouch screen. The touch panels associated with an EPOS system 22 areconfigurable to present graphical representations corresponding to thephysical layout of products in the vending machine 24 so that anoperator will be able to select a product to be vended by touching agraphical representation on the touch screen corresponding to theproduct. Furthermore, icons representing each individual vending machine24 which is able to receive a vending instruction from an EPOS system 22connected to the main vending control unit control apparatus 20 may bedisplayed on display means associated with the EPOS system 22. In thisway an operator is able to quickly identify a product to be vended byinitially selecting the required vending machine 24 which is adapted todispense the required product.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show representations of drop down menus which may alsobe provided on display means associated with each EPOS system 22according to the invention. Such drop down menus will enable an operatorto avoid having to scroll through lists of vendible products on thedisplay means or touch screen. In operation, the operator presses therequired button on the keyboard, or an icon on a touch screen,corresponding to a category of products, such as cigarettes. Onceselected, the screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. The operator mayselect the relevant row by pressing the number corresponding to thatrow. This then activates the screen shown in FIG. 11. The operator thenselects the relevant column by pressing the number corresponding to thatcolumn. The process to then dispense that selected product from thevending machine is then activated.

From the EPOS system 22 operators are thus able to maintain completecontrol of the vend process. Conversely, the EPOS system 22 comprises akeyboard and each product is able to be dispensed from the vendingmachine 24 by pressing a predefined key on the keyboard. Before thecosts for the dispensed product are added to a customer invoice the EPOSsystem 22 must receive a characteristic EPOS control input signalencoding a confirmation that the vending machine has dispensed theproduct. Preferably, such a confirmation is displayed on display meansassociated with the EPOS system 22.

The adaptive EPOS communications interface 32 and the adaptive vendingmachine communications interface 36 are coupled, via the main vendingcontrol unit 26, to a database 56 of interface control programs.

Such interface control programs, when executed on the EPOScommunications interface, may provide functionality required to generatecharacteristic EPOS control input signals and to process characteristicEPOS control output signals for an EPOS system. Other of said interfacecontrol programs, when executed on the vending machine communicationsinterface, may provide the functionality required to generatecharacteristic vending machine control input signals, and to processcharacteristic vending machine control output signals for a vendingmachine.

Associated with the database 56 of interface control programs is an EPOSconfiguration file which stores configuration parameters which areprovided as input to the interface control programs. The interfacecontrol programs are arranged in the database 56 in a dynamic linkedlibrary structure.

The EPOS vending control apparatus 20 further comprises means forsampling characteristic EPOS control output signals for an EPOS system22 on connection to the EPOS vending control apparatus 20. Also providedis means for extracting EPOS system identification parameters from thesampled EPOS signals. In this way the EPOS vending control apparatus 20uses the extracted EPOS system identification parameters to select andwrite an interface control program to the adaptive EPOS communicationsinterface 32 to facilitate processing of characteristic EPOS controloutput signals received from the EPOS system 22 and generating ofcharacteristic EPOS control input signals for processing by the EPOSsystem 22.

Similarly, the EPOS vending control apparatus 20 further comprises meansfor sampling characteristic vending machine control output signals foreach vending machine connected to the EPOS vending control apparatus 20.Means are also provided for extracting vending machine identificationparameters from the sampled vending machine signals. The EPOS vendingcontrol apparatus 20 can then use the vending machine identificationparameters to select and write an interface control program to theadaptive vending machine communications interface 36 to facilitateprocessing of characteristic vending machine control output signalsreceived from the vending machine 24 and generating characteristicvending machine control input signals for processing by the vendingmachine 24.

The adaptive communications interfaces 32, 36 each comprise means forextracting point of sales data and vending machine data from thecharacteristic output signals received from the EPOS systems 22 and/orthe vending machines 24. Once extracted the point of sales device dataand vending machine data is transmitted to the main vending control unit26.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control apparatus 20 is connected to at leastone hub computer 58 via a further communications link 60 for thetransmission of the point of sales data and vending machine dataextracted from the characteristic output signals. It will be understoodthat the point of sales data and vending machine data includes datarelating to transactions including both products vended from a vendingmachine 3 and other non-vended products in a transaction. The maincontrol unit 26 thus receives data relating to all vended products oncethey have been dispensed from the vending machine 24. The point of salesdata and vending machine data transmitted from the main vending controlunit 26 is time and/or date stamped according to the time and date ofthe transaction.

The main vending control unit 26 further comprises means to monitor thequantity of each product in a vending machine 24, as well as means totransmit alerts in response to signals received from a vending machine24 indicating that levels of a product are below a minimum specifiedlevel. Such alerts may be in the form of a prompt on an EPOS system 22,a Simple Message Service (SMS) text message and/or an e-mail message.

The hub computer 58 is also able to process the point of sales data andvending machine data into reports detailing the dispensing activity ofindividual vending machines 24, as well as a collective group of vendingmachines 24 located at the same location or a multiple remote locations.FIGS. 12 to 15 show examples of reports which are able to be generatedat the hub computer 58.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which outlets 68 are able to connect tothe hub computer 58 via a network such as the Internet 62 to facilitateonline remote monitoring of vending machines in a single or multiplelocations. The vending machines 24 will also have the ability to send a“Current Status Update” to a designated web server which will enable theconstant online remote monitoring of all vending machines in variouslocations throughout a specified territory or country.

FIG. 7 is the first part of a flow diagram showing a process for vendinga product from a vending machine. At step 100, the EPOS operatorauthenticates him or herself to the EPOS system. A failed authenticationattempt by the EPOS operator will, at step 110, result in the operatorbeing blocked from having access to functionality of the EPOS system. Atstep 120, an EPOS operator, in response to a request received from acustomer wanting to purchase a product in a vending machine, activates avending option on the EPOS system. Such a vending option will enable theoperator to identify the product to be vended on display meansassociated with the EPOS system. At step 130, the operator selects theproduct to be vended by appropriate interaction with input meansassociated with the EPOS system. Such input means may be a touch screendisplaying images of icons representing various products able to bedispensed by the vending machines which are connected to the EPOSsystem. Alternatively, input means may be provided by a keyboard,whereby an operator is able to use the keyboard perform the requiredselection. At step 140, and for certain categories of products for whichproof of age is required for purchase, age verification functionality onthe EPOS system is activated. This verifies that the operator is therequired age to vend the particular product and also, on confirmationthat the operator is permitted to sell the product, prompts the operatorto request that the customer verify their age before allowing the vendto proceed. The EPOS system will thus prompt the operator to verifytheir age and input a confirmation that the customer is old enough topurchase the desired goods. At step 150, if the operator is not therequired minimum age, or if an operator has failed to produce therequired age verification input for the customer, the vend will notproceed.

At step 160, the EPOS system encodes the selection by the operator intoa vend request and transmits the vend request as a characteristic EPOScontrol output signal to the adaptive EPOS communications interface atthe control apparatus. At step 170, the adaptive EPOS communicationsinterface converts the characteristic EPOS control output signal into astandardised EPOS control output signal which is able to be processed bythe main vending control unit. At step 180, the standardised EPOScontrol output signal generated at step 170 is converted into astandardised vending machine control input signal. At step 190, thevending machine control input signal is transmitted to the adaptivevending machine communications interface where it is converted into acharacteristic vending machine control input signal which is suitablefor processing by the vending machine and encodes the original vendinstruction issued by the operator at the EPOS system to dispense thedesired product.

FIG. 8 shows the subsequent steps in the vending process of FIG. 7. Atstep 200, the characteristic vending machine control input signal issent to the specific vending machine needed to vend the requestedproduct. In response to the characteristic vending machine control inputsignal the product is either successfully vended at step 210, orpossibly due to an error at the vending machine, or if the vendingmachine is out of stock, it is not vended at step 220.

If the product is successfully vended, at step 230, a characteristicvending machine control output signal encoding an indication that theproduct has been successfully dispensed is sent from the vending machineto the adaptive vending machine communications interface. Alternatively,if the vend is unsuccessful, a characteristic vending machine controloutput signal encoding a confirmation indicating the product has notbeen successfully dispensed is sent from the vending machine to theadaptive vending machine communications interface at 240.

At step 250, the characteristic vending machine control output signal isconverted to a standardised vending machine control output signal by theadaptive vending machine communications interface and sent onto the mainvending control unit for processing. At step 260, the main vendingcontrol unit generates a standardised EPOS control input signal inresponse to the characteristic vending machine control output signalreceived. This standardised EPOS control input signal is sent from themain control unit to the adaptive EPOS communications interface, and atstep 270, it is converted into a characteristic EPOS input signal whichcan be processed by the EPOS system that originally issued the vendrequest at step 130. Information received at the main vending controlunit, including information relating to both successful and notsuccessful vends is also transmitted for reporting purposes to a centralhub computer at step 280.

If the signal at step 230 has encoded a confirmation that the vendingmachine has dispensed the product, the costs for the dispensed productare added to a customer invoice at step 290 by the EPOS system. Theconfirmation is also displayed on display means associated with the EPOSsystem. Alternatively, if the signal at step 230 encodes a failed vendconfirmation, then, at step 300, the costs for the dispensed product arenot added to a customer invoice and the operator is alerted to the factthe product was not dispensed by the vending machine.

FIG. 9 is a further flow diagram showing the higher level steps in aprocess for vending a product according to the invention. At step 400,the customer requests a product which is available from a vendingmachine in an outlet. At step 410, the operator/cashier touches orpresses a vend button or icon representing that product on the EPOSsystem. At step 420, a product selection panel is rendered on thevending machine from which an operator, at step 430, selects a productto vend. If the operator does not wish to proceed with the product vendthen a cancellation may be made and the product vend process ends atstep 700.

At step 440, a determination is made as to whether the operator isauthorised to vend the product. If not, then, at step 450, anunauthorised to vend prompt is displayed on the EPOS system and the vendprocess ends at step 700. At step 460, a determination is made as towhether customer age verification functionality is required for purchaseof the desired products. If verification is required then the customerage verification functionality is activated at step 470. If the customeris not eligible to purchase the goods, then the process returns to step450 and an unauthorised to vend prompt is displayed on the EPOS system,and the vend process ends at step 700. Conversely, if verification isnot required, or if the customer satisfies the customer age verificationrequirements, then the characteristic EPOS control output signalencoding a vend request instruction is transmitted at step 480 and theproduct is vended. The EPOS vending control apparatus handles the vendrequest at step 490.

A check is then made at step 500 as to whether the vend request wasvalidly completed. If it was, then the cost of the vended product isadded to the sales invoice at step 510. If it was not, then the processreturns to step 450 and an unauthorised to vend prompt is displayed onthe EPOS system, and the vend process ends at step 700. At step 520, ifone or more products failed to vend, then a vend error prompt isdisplayed. A re-route option is provided at step 530 which provides thatif a specific vending machine is unable to vend a requested product thena vend request for the requested product is directed to an alternativevending machine. Such a re-route option returns the process to step 480.If no re-route option is provided, as at step 540, then the vend processends at step 700.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that additions and/or modificationsmay be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as definedin the appended claims.

1. An electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus for connecting different types of electronic point of sales systems with different types of vending machines, each type of EPOS system and vending machine having characteristic control inputs, characterised in that the control apparatus comprises a main vending control unit connected to at least one vending machine and at least one EPOS system by a communications link for the transmission of characteristic EPOS control input signals for controlling the EPOS system and characteristic vending machine control input signals for controlling the vending machine from the EPOS system, the control apparatus operating an adaptive EPOS communications interface for translating standardised EPOS control input signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic EPOS control input signals for transmission to the EPOS system, and an adaptive vending machine communications interface for converting standardised vending machine control inputs signals transmitted from the main vending control unit into characteristic vending machine control input signals for transmission to the vending machine.
 2. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the adaptive EPOS communications interface is further configured to translate characteristic EPOS control output signals transmitted from the EPOS system into standardised EPOS control output signals for processing by the main vending control unit.
 3. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the adaptive vending machine communications interface is further configured to translate characteristic vending machine control output signals transmitted from the vending machine into standardised vending machine control output signals for processing by the main vending control unit.
 4. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the main vending control unit is connected to a database of interface control programs.
 5. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which some of the interface control programs, when executed on the adaptive EPOS communications interface, provide functionality required to generate characteristic EPOS control input signals and to process characteristic EPOS control output signals for an EPOS system.
 6. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which others of said interface control programs, when executed on the vending machine communications interface, provides functionality required to generate characteristic vending machine control input signals and to process characteristic vending machine control output signals for a vending machine.
 7. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which associated with the database of interface control programs is an EPOS configuration file which stores configuration parameters which are provided as input to the interface control programs.
 8. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the interface control programs are arranged in the database in a dynamic linked library structure.
 9. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the EPOS vending control apparatus further comprises means for sampling characteristic EPOS control output signals for an EPOS system on connection to the EPOS vending control apparatus, and means for extracting EPOS system identification parameters from the sampled EPOS signals.
 10. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the EPOS vending control apparatus uses the EPOS system identification parameters to select and write an interface control program to the adaptive EPOS communications interface to facilitate processing of characteristic EPOS control output signals received from the EPOS system and generating characteristic EPOS control input signals for the EPOS system.
 11. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the EPOS vending control apparatus further comprises means for sampling characteristic vending machine control output signals for a vending machine on connection to the EPOS vending control apparatus, and means for extracting vending machine identification parameters from the sampled vending machine signals.
 12. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which the EPOS vending control apparatus uses the vending machine identification parameters to select and write an interface control program to the adaptive vending machine communications interface to facilitate processing of characteristic vending machine control output signals received from the vending machine and generating characteristic vending machine control input signals for processing by the vending machine.
 13. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the adaptive EPOS communications interface and the adaptive vending machine communications interface are stored in the control apparatus.
 14. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the adaptive communications interfaces each comprise means for extracting point of sales terminal data and/or vending machine data from the characteristic EPOS control output signals received from the EPOS systems and/or the characteristic vending machine control output signals received from vending machines coupled to the control apparatus.
 15. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 14, in which the extracted point of sales device data and/or vending machine data is transmitted to the main vending control unit.
 16. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the main vending control unit is connected to at least one hub computer via a further communications link for the transmission of the point of sales data and vending machine data.
 17. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the point of sales data and vending machine data includes data relating to transactions including both products vended from a vending machine and other non-vended products in a transaction.
 18. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the point of sales data and vending machine data transmitted from the main vending control unit is time and/or date stamped according to the time and date of the transaction.
 19. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which the hub computer is able to process the point of sales data and vending machine data into reports detailing sales activity and/or the dispensing activity of one or more vending machines.
 20. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which an operator must input authentication information to an EPOS system in order to operate and gain access to the functionality of the EPOS system.
 21. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which authentication of an operator involves the operator inputting a password into a login or verification routine running on an EPOS system.
 22. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which authentication of an operator involves the operator passing a swipe card through a reader associated with the EPOS system, whereby the required verification information is obtainable from the swipe card by the reader and then transmitted to the EPOS system.
 23. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 20, in which authentication involves the use of biometric methods including finger print readers or iris scanning technologies.
 24. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which instructions for the vending machine to dispense a product for a transaction are initially encoded in a characteristic EPOS control output signal transmitted from an EPOS system connected to the EPOS vending control apparatus.
 25. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each EPOS system operates a vending machine control application which provides an interactive interface on the EPOS system from which operators can select a product to be dispensed from a vending machine.
 26. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the EPOS system comprises a touch screen and the interactive interface is icon based, each product able to be dispensed from the vending machine being represented as an icon on the touch screen.
 27. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 26, in which the touch screen associated with an EPOS system is able to be configured with all information corresponding to the layout of columns and slots in a vending machine.
 28. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each EPOS system comprises a keyboard and each product is able to be dispensed from the vending machine by pressing a predefined key on the keyboard.
 29. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the event that a specific vending machine is unable to vend a requested product then a vend request for the requested product is directed to an alternative vending machine to dispense the requested product.
 30. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which before a cost for a product vended from a vending machine is added to a customer invoice the EPOS system must receive a characteristic EPOS control input signal encoding a confirmation that the vending machine has dispensed the product.
 31. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 30, in which when the confirmation is received it is rendered on display means associated with the EPOS system.
 32. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a vend from a vending machine is recorded against an operator authenticated to the EPOS system.
 33. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the EPOS system comprises customer age verification functionality in the form of a visual prompt on the display means associated with the EPOS system, the prompt instructing the operator to request a customer to produce age verification.
 34. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the EPOS system comprises customer age verification functionality involving scanning a card encoding the age of the customer.
 35. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 33, in which the EPOS system is adapted to store details relating to age verification of a customer.
 36. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which each EPOS system maintains a personal details database comprising personal details of each operator, whereby access to functionality on each EPOS system needed to vend specific products from a vending machine is controllable according to personal details of the operator in the database.
 37. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the main control unit receives data relating to all vended products once they have been dispensed from a vending machine.
 38. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the main vending control unit comprises means to transmit alerts in response to signals received from a vending machine indicating that levels of product remaining in the vending machine are below a minimum specified level.
 39. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 38, in which alerts are in the form of a prompt on an EPOS system, a simple messaging service (SMS) text message and/or an e-mail message.
 40. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the main vending control unit is adapted to transmit status information to a web-server to facilitate online remote monitoring of vending machines in a single or in multiple locations.
 41. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which touch panels associated with an EPOS system are configurable to present a graphical representations corresponding to the physical layout of products in the vending machine.
 42. (canceled)
 43. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the adaptive vending machine communications interface is further configured to translate characteristic vending machine control output signals transmitted from the vending machine into standardised vending machine control output signals for processing by the main vending control unit.
 44. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which others of said interface control programs, when executed on the vending machine communications interface, provides functionality required to generate characteristic vending machine control input signals and to process characteristic vending machine control output signals for a vending machine.
 45. The electronic point of sales (EPOS) vending control apparatus as claimed in claim 34, in which the EPOS system is adapted to store details relating to age verification of a customer. 